Figure 1 - uploaded by Rie Nakano
Content may be subject to copyright.
Gymnodoris species feeding on opisthobranchs in their natural habitats. (A) G. okinawae (right) feeding on a sacoglossan Thuridilla sp. (left). (B) G. rubropapulosa (left) feeding on Mexichromis multituberculata (right). (C) G. amakusana (left) feeding on Elysia ornata (right). (D) Gymnodoris sp. (right) feeding on Glossodoris cincta (left). Scale bars 5 10 mm.
Source publication
Here, we report field observations of the diets of some Gymnodoris species (Nudibranchia: Opisthobranchia) inhabiting warm waters in the vicinity of Japan. Some Gymnodoris species appeared to feed exclusively on a single species: G. ceylonica fed on Nakamigawaia sp.; G. okinawae on Elysia sp.; G. striata on Elysia ornata; and an undescribed Gymnodo...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... lengths were measured in situ using a ruler or determined from the photographs. We observed the following species: Gymnodoris ceylonica (Kelaart, 1858), G. citrina (Bergh, 1875), G. inornata Bergh, 1880, G. okinawae Baba, 1936, G. rubropapulosa (Bergh, 1905, G. striata (Eliot, 1908; . G. amakusana [Baba, 1996]), and an undescribed Gymnodoris sp. ...
Context 2
... our field observations, Gymnodoris okinawae fed on Thuridilla sp. (Sacoglossa; Fig. 1A). This unde- scribed Thuridilla species is commonly found in southern parts of Japan, and is known by its Japanese common name '' Fujiiro-midorigai'' (cf. ...
Context 3
... observed that Gymnodoris rubropapulosa fed on Chromodoris strigata, Chromodoris sp., Hypselodoris festiva, and Mexichromis multituberculata (Fig. 1B). Behrens (2005) reported that G. rubropapulosa fed on H. iacula. This species also fed on Glossodoris rufomarginata, H. dollfusi, H. krakatoa, and M. marieri (Behrens, personal communication). Chromodoris sp. is an undescribed species that is commonly found only in the vicinity of Hachijo-jima Island and the Bonin Islands, and is ...
Context 4
... species that is commonly found only in the vicinity of Hachijo-jima Island and the Bonin Islands, and is recognized by its Japanese common name '' Kongasuri-umiushi'' (cf. Nakano, 2004). These observations suggest that G. rubropapulosa feeds on various species of the family Chromodorididae. We observed that G. amakusana fed on Elysia ornata (Fig. 1C). In contrast, Rudman (1999c) referred to G. amakusana as a junior synonym of G. striata, which feeds on Plakobranchus ocellatus (Johnson & Boucher, 1983). If G. striata and G. amakusana are synonymous, they may show the same food habits. Gymnodoris sp. or Shirobonbon-umiushi differs from all other gymnodor- ids in shape and color ...
Context 5
... If G. striata and G. amakusana are synonymous, they may show the same food habits. Gymnodoris sp. or Shirobonbon-umiushi differs from all other gymnodor- ids in shape and color (Rudman, 1999d). It has a white body with many large, puff-like pustules. We observed this species feeding on Glossodoris cincta. This is the first observation of its diet (Fig. ...
Similar publications
Una nueva especie de Tambja Burn, 1962 del estrecho de Gibraltar, Tambja ceutae n. sp. se distingue de todas las restantes especies del género por la presencia de pequeñas papilas cónicas bordeando el noto, y por su próstata netamente diferenciada del canal deferente. Su notable coloración, verde azulada con bandas longitudinales amarillas, hace qu...
The aeolid Anteaeolidiella fijensis Carmona, Bhave, Salunkhe, Pola, Gosliner and Cervera, 2014 is reported for the first time from India. Differences in the external colouration compared with the original description hampered its identification, and therefore, a molecular approach was needed. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses of partial DNA...
The history of studies on opisthobranch molluscs of the Northern Black Sea are critically reviewed. Data on opisthobranch distribution and ecology are given, some taxonomical problems are discussed. A non-indigenous, warm-water Atlantic tergipedid species Trinchesia perca (Er. Marcus, 1958) (= Cu-thona perca) is recorded in the Black Sea for the fi...
A new species belonging to the genus Doto, D. unguis n. sp., is described from the coasts of South Spain. 1t is compared with the others european species of this genus having white ceratas and the rhinophore sheaths a lobulated margin: D. aurea Trinchese, D. cuspidata Alder & Hancock, and D. histryx Picton & Brown
Citations
... Some of nudibranch species have a strict dietary specialization, being stenophages (Ekimova, Valdes, et al., 2019;Goodheart et al., 2017;Hoover et al., 2012). This information was mainly obtained through observations on animals in their natural habitats (Nakano et al., 2007), those kept in captivity in tanks, and also by analyzing stomach contents (Nakano, 2017). ...
Nudibranchs are mostly predators preying on a variety of invertebrates. The dietary preferences of tropical nudibranchs were studied by the method of fatty acid trophic markers (FATM) in order to for better understanding of their trophic ecology. For this, the fatty acid profiles of two nudibranch species from the South China Sea, Doriprismatica atromarginata (Cuvier, 1804) and Jorunna funebris (Kelaart, 1859), were analyzed and trophic markers were identified. The high level of very long chain fatty acids (from C24 to C28), which are characteristic of sponges, in nudibranchs was evidence of their predation on sponges. However, the distribution of these components differed significantly between the species. The acids 24:2Δ5,9, 25:2Δ5,9, 26:2Δ9,19, and especially 26:2Δ5,9 dominated in D. atromarginata, but were not found in J. funebris that was rich in 28:2Δ5,9 and 28:3Δ5,9,19. The significant differences in the profile of these demospongic acids indicate that these nudibranchs consumed different species of sponges. The similarity between the FATMs of J. funebris and its potential prey, the sponge Xestospongia, confirmed their predator–prey relationship. Doriprismatica atromarginata from different sites along the Vietnam coast had different FATM profiles, which showed this nudibranch as having no any strict food specialization and feeding on various Demospongiae species. The abundance of bacterial FATMs in the nudibranchs suggests the importance of bacteria in their diet. Thus, the FATM method has proven to be useful for identifying the feeding specialization and assessing the effect of food availability on the diet of these tropical nudibranch species.
... Additionally, true cannibalism is found within the genus (Young, 1969;Johnson and Boucher, 1983;Johnson, 1992) as well as goby fish fin parasitism Yamasu, 1994, 2000). Further, it appears that some members of Gymnodoris may be specialists and others generalists in their dietary habits (Nakano et al., 2007;Nakano and Hirose, 2011). What remains unknown is how these diets fit within a phylogenetic context. ...
Nudibranchs are charismatic marine gastropods that lack a shell in the adult stage. While most nudibranchs feed on sessile animals such as sponges, bryozoans, and cnidarians, the nudibranch genus Gymnodoris Stimpson, 1855 evolved a more active and predatory lifestyle, including sea slug predation, cannibalism, and oddly enough, fish-fin parasitism. At the beginning of our work, no phylogenetic hypothesis existed for the genus, nor a clear picture of how Gymnodoris is related to other nudibranchs. Here we set out to reconstruct Gymnodoris phylogeny, investigate species diversity, and clarify the status of the genus name Analogium, which had been proposed for members of the genus with a linear gill filament arrangement. We present the first phylogenetic hypothesis for Gymnodoris, reconstructed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference using two mitochondrial and two nuclear molecular markers, with gill filament arrangement plotted on the phylogeny. The backbone of the phylogeny remains unresolved with these markers, however, we found that Gymnodoris comprises three main well-supported clades, which we refer to as the “subornata”, “citrina” and “varied” clade, the latter two clades being comprised of several well-supported subclades. The sister group to Gymnodoris is a clade including the genera Vayssierea and Lecithophorus. Based on ABGD and PTP species delimitation methods, we conservatively estimate 65–70 species comprise our dataset. We further estimate that approximately 81% of the species we sampled are undescribed, and note that a linear gill filament arrangement has evolved multiple times within the genus. Gymnodoris is only monophyletic when the species with a linear gill arrangement are included. Therefore, at this time, we agree with the synonymy of Analogium striata with Gymnodoris striata by Rudman and Darvell (1990) and that the genus name Analogium is warranted as a junior synonym of Gymnodoris. Given the extensive undescribed diversity, and lack of resolution at some of the nodes in the phylogeny, patterns of diversification in diet are impossible to discern at this time and will require a large effort to both describe Gymnodoris species diversity and the diets of these candidate species.
... Most animals, including some sacoglossans 1,2 , are considered to autotomise to escape predation. However, adult sacoglossans generally have few predators due to their cryptic coloration and presence of toxic chemicals incorporated from their food 3,6 (but see Nakano et al. 7 ). Our experiments also showed that autotomy of E. cf. ...
Autotomy, the voluntary shedding of a body part, is common to distantly-related animals such as arthropods, gastropods, asteroids, amphibians, and lizards¹,². Autotomy is generally followed by regeneration of shed terminal body parts, such as appendages or tails. Here, we identify a new type of extreme autotomy in two species of sacoglossan sea slug (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Surprisingly, they shed the main body, including the whole heart, and regenerated a new body. In contrast, the shed body did not regenerate the head. These sacoglossans can incorporate chloroplasts from algal food into their cells to utilise for photosynthesis (kleptoplasty³), and we propose that this unique characteristic may facilitate survival after autotomy and subsequent regeneration.
... Nudibranch species (Mollusca: Gastropoda) demonstrate various feeding habits, and several are known to be carnivorous. Carnivorous nudibranchs feed not only on sessile animals including sponges, hydroids, bryozoans, entoprocts, ascidians and fish eggs (Calado and Urgorri 2002;Willan 1984;Todd and Havenhand 1989;Behrens 2005;Rudman and Bergquist 2007;Gosliner and Fahey 2008), but also certain free-living animals including jellyfishes, crustaceans, nemerteans and even other nudibranchs (Battle and Nybakken 1998;Behrens 2005;Nakano et al. 2007;. ...
Stomach contents of Kalinga ornata and Plocamopherus tilesii (Nudibranchia: Doridacea: Polyceridae) were investigated using a light microscope to reveal their natural diets. Ossicles of ophiuroids were found in the stomachs of four out of 29 specimens of K. ornata. In contrast, both zooecia of Bryozoa and ossicles of ophiuroids were found in the stomachs of P. tilesii specimens. This is only the second record of a nudibranch species feeding on ophiuroids. © 2016 The Malacological Society of Australasia and the Society for the Study of Molluscan Diversity
... The diet of each gymnodorid encompasses a particular range of species, with some feeding on various orders of nudibranchs and some having more selective diets. For instance, G. rubropapulosa (Bergh, 1905) feeds on various genera of the family Chromodorididae, including Hypselodoris iacula Gosliner & Johnson, 1999, H. festiva Adams, 1861, Chromodoris annae Bergh, 1877, C. strigata Rudman, 1982, Chromodoris sp., and Mexichromis multituberculata (Baba, 1953) (Behrens, 2005;Nakano et al., 2007), whereas G. aurita (Gould, 1852) is known to feed only on Marionia spp. (Nudibranchia: Dendronotina: Tritoniidae) (Behrens, 2005). ...
... The laboratory conditions may also have resulted in unusual opisthobranch behaviors. For example, Johnson & Boucher (1983) reported that G. okinawae Baba, 1936 did not feed on Elysia in aquaria, but Nakano et al. (2007) observed G. okinawae feeding on Elysia spp. in the field. ...
... Three modes of predation have been reported in gymnodorids: biting the prey, swallowing it whole, and sucking the body fluid from the prey (Hughes, 1983;Johnson, 1992;Ono, 1999Ono, , 2004Nakano, 2004;Behrens, 2005;Nakano et al., 2007). We did not observe sucking behavior. ...
We report field experiments of the diets of certain Gymnodoris species (Nudibranchia: Doridina: Gymnodorididae) that inhabit the seas in the vicinity of Japan. Of 21 individuals of five predatory species, 13 fed on 14 of the 44 prey individuals. Among these predators, five individuals of four species located the mucus trail of their prey and pursued it. After touching the prey with their oral tentacles, most predators everted the buccal apparatus to capture the prey. Two modes of feeding occurred: biting off part of the prey or swallowing it whole. Some predator and prey combinations have not previously been reported, to our knowledge: Gymnodoris alba fed on Vayssierea felis (Nudibranchia: Doridina: Vayssiereidae), and G okinawae fed on Metaruncina setoensis (Cephalaspidea: Runcinidae). We also found an unknown gymnodorid that fed on several Elysia spp. and Thuridilla vatae. The unknown predator was similar in morphology to G. alba, but its prey items were similar to those of G okinawae.
In the past ~155 years, professional and amateur malacologists have recorded ca. 90 described species of sacoglossan opisthobranchs in ~25 genera on Japanese shores. In addition, there are at least 20 to 40 undescribed or unrecognized sacoglossans also recorded. The extraordinary species richness has been a source of admiration as well as vexation. Worldwide scientifi c excitement in this group was largely due to two pivotal discoveries by Japanese researchers: (1) the acquisition and retention of functional chloroplasts by the sacoglossan Elysia 1atroviridis Baba, 1955 and (2) the existence of extant populations of bivalved sacoglossans (initially Tamanovalva limax Kawaguti and Baba, 1959 and then related taxa). Eight of the nine sacoglossan families recognized by Jensen (1996, 2007) are represented in Japan. All the recognized sacoglossan genera are represented in Japan except: Roburnella Marcus, 1982; Platyhedyle Salvini-Plawen, 1973; Gascoignella Jensen, 1985; Olea Agersborg, 1923; Limapontia Johnston, 1836; and the Australian genera Edenttellina Gatliff and Gabriel, 1911 and Midorigai Burn, 1960. Taxonomic uncertainty has been caused by the absence of vouchers, incomplete and/or questionable descriptions, photographic misidentifi cations (books and internet), chronically unstable classifi cation, and other scientifi c challenges; in particular, the
small size, cryptic coloration, and patchy distribution of sacoglossans have contributed to limited collections of many species. Since 2000, we have collected, photographed, and preserved unusually large numbers of Japanese sacoglossans, including species traditionally considered rare by malacologists. Although it is premature to produce a comprehensive inventory of the Japanese sacoglossan fauna, we consider it
necessary to describe explicitly the strengths and weaknesses of current information. This assessment should assist professional and amateur malacologists with future sacoglossan study, particularly in the areas of biogeography, phylogeny, and ecology.
